Special ep: A chat with SRAM about new Rival and Force and trickling down tech

Geek Warning

#News #Sports News #Tech News #Caley Fretz #Escape Collective #Cycling #Equipment #Road Bikes #Bike Tech #Escape #Bike #Bicycle #Mountain Biking #Gravel Biking

38:30

Chef Shuai Wang was the runner-up on the 22nd season of Bravo’s Top Chef and is the force behind two standout restaurants in Charleston, South Carolina—Jackrabbit Filly and King BBQ—where he brings together the flavors of his childhood in Beijing and the spirit of the South in some pretty unforgettable ways. He grew up just a short walk from Tiananmen Square, in a tiny home with no electricity or running water, where his grandmother often cooked over charcoal. Later, in Queens, New York, his mom taught herself to cook—her first dishes were a little salty, but they were always made with love. And somewhere along the way, Shuai learned that cooking wasn’t just about food—it was about taking care of people. After years working in New York kitchens, he made his way to Charleston and started building something that feels entirely his own. Today, we’re talking about how all those experiences come together on the plate, the family stories behind his cooking, and what it’s been like to share that journey on national TV. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices…

about a year ago 16:01

MP3•Episode home

For the full tech details and reviews of these new groupsets – or to sign up to get the full episode – head over to escapecollective.com.

164 episodes

Geek Warning

Special ep: A chat with SRAM about new Rival and Force and trickling down tech

Geek Warning

17 subscribers

published about a year ago

MP3•Episode home

For the full tech details and reviews of these new groupsets – or to sign up to get the full episode – head over to escapecollective.com.

164 episodes

#News #Sports News #Tech News #Caley Fretz #Escape Collective #Cycling #Equipment #Road Bikes #Bike Tech #Escape #Bike #Bicycle #Mountain Biking #Gravel Biking

All episodes

Geek Warning

1
Big wheels, TT saddles, and Five Stars 53:37

14 hours ago53:37

53:37

We’re in thick of race season and there’s plenty to discuss on the tech front. The mountain bike world is rubbing their eyes at the sight of a 32-inch-wheeled full suspension. Meanwhile, on the road, it’s the Time Trial that continues to tease future tech trends. Join Ronan Mc Laughlin, Dave Rome, and Alex Hunt as they discuss these new sightings. Outside of racing, you’ll also hear the geeks talk about a revised scoring system from the helmet test lab of Virginia Tech. Meanwhile, Dave has a PSA closely related to the latest edition of his Threaded workshop series. Plus there’s chat about news from DT Swiss, Pinarello, and Lightweight. Members of Escape Collective get access to the popular Ask a Wrench segment at the end of the episode. This week, pro race mechanic Brad Copeland joins Dave Rome in answering questions related to narrowing down choices in buying a gravel wheelset, how to go about converting a certain suspension fork for use with dropbars, and whether there’s a difference between Shimano GRX and Ultegra brakes. Time stamps: 2:00 - BMC’s big wheel testing 13:40 - Tour Time Trial tech 23:40 - Virginia Tech updates its helmet star ratings 32:00 - a PSA that every part is safety critical 41:00 - Lightweight’s big update 47:40 - Pinarello’s new gravel bikes 49:20 - DT Swiss’ stop ride notice 52:30 - Alex’s new bike day 53:30 - Ask a Wrench with Brad Copeland (member only) 54:45 - Thoughts on upgrading gravel bike wheels 1:10:00 - Converting a MTB to dropbar with a remote lockout suspension 1:20:00 - Shimano Ultegra versus GRX brakes…

Geek Warning

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Tour Tech 47:01

7 days ago47:01

47:01

It’s Tour time and tech editor Ronan McLaughlin has been on the ground capturing all the latest little tricks and tidbits. In this week’s Geek Warning, Dave Rome, and Ronan get together to talk through some of the bigger tech stories and finds coming from the biggest race. Within you’ll hear about new bikes from Merida and Cervelo, some behind-the-scenes sponsorship movements, how front derailleurs are becoming less common, and why the UCI’s handlebar width ruling is likely set to change (again). In Ask a Wrench, members of Escape Collective will hear pro race mechanic Brad Copeland and Dave Rome answer questions related to rust-proofing steel frames, solving for a drooping chain, and how to solve the dreaded disc brake turkey gobble. As an added bonus, you’ll hear Brad’s impression of a turkey. Time stamps: 2:00 - Merida’s unreleased Reacto 5:50 - Cervelo’s new S5 and Ronan’s early impressions 14:20 - Cervelo has a new R5 coming, too 18:30 - Musical Saddles of Sponsorships 26:00 - Updates inbound for the UCI’s handlebar width change? 37:45 - 1x gearing is on the rise 47:00 - Ask a Wrench with Brad Copeland (members only) 48:30 - Rust-protecting a steel frame 52:30 - Chain droop when riding in smaller cassette cogs 1:03:00 - Fixing the SRAM brake turkey gobble…

Geek Warning

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Hookless to hooked and pondering spoke colours 1:23:37

15 days ago1:23:37

1:23:37

The drowsiness of Eurobike has barely faded just as the Tour is about to kick off. This week, Escape’s tech team members Suvi Loponen, Ronan Mc Laughlin, and Dave Rome are on Geek Warning to discuss the biggest tech of the week and some things on their minds. A recap of Eurobike is provided by Suvi, along with pondering what the future holds for this event that seems to be in decline. Ronan and Dave go deep on Enve’s new road wheels , which quite surprisingly, have a hooked rim. That’s big news from a company that pioneered the hookless road space. Dave poses the impossible question of what coloured spokes he should choose. And there’s a fun PSA related to the countless problematic adverts seen from brands that create maintenance products. The end of the episode wraps with our usual Ask a Wrench segment. This is typically exclusive to members of Escape Collective, but not this week! This week is a free week and so everyone will hear the full member-only version that includes pro race mechanic Brad Copeland answering a few member-submitted technical questions. Time stamps: 1:00 - Eurobike recap and whether such trade shows are still relevant 18:20 - A deep chat on Enve’s new SES 4.5 Pro going hooked 33:00 - Canyon’s new Grizl and a new weird handlebar 38:30 - On Dave’s mind: Silver hubs, but what coloured spokes? 44:00 - PSA: Be cautious of maintenance product brands giving you maintenance advice on socials. 48:00 - Apidura’s Aero System 53:00 - Ask a Wrench (open to all for this week!) 54:30 - Footwear for mechanics 1:03:00 - How to find a mystery clicking noise 1:14:00 - General thoughts on hitch racks…

Geek Warning

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Special ep: Bikepacking aero nerd 27:15

15 days ago27:15

27:15

In this special Performance Process x Geek Warning crossover, Dave Rome grills Ronan Mc Laughlin about every technical detail from his 3,000 km unsupported lap of Ireland. From aero bag hacks and drivetrain quirks to cleat regrets and a failed light, this is a deep dive into the tech setup behind a truly personal and punishing ultra-endurance ride. Ronan shares what worked, what didn’t, and what he’d change next time – all while reflecting on how the gear supported his mission to raise awareness for food allergy research. The fundraiser is still open here , every contribution makes a real difference. • £10 provides allergy education packs for a school • £25 trains 50 teachers to support allergic kids • £100 covers a life-saving dose of treatment for a child • £1,500 funds six months on the life-changing Natasha Clinical Trial Hitting the target, could fund 20 trial places for allergic children, and take a real step toward a future where no child has to live in fear of their food.…

Geek Warning

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Shimano Di2, Classified, and Eurobike week 59:01

22 days ago59:01

59:01

We’re not sure we’ve ever experienced a busier month in the world of cycling tech. All the major drivetrain manufacturers have released new things. We’ve had two custom bike shows and now it’s the world’s largest cycling tradeshow - Eurobike. And the tech conversations in the racing world have been a flurry of activity, too. In this episode, you’ll hear the voices of the entire Escape tech editorial staff. Ronan McLaughlin, Dave Rome, and Alex Hunt share their thoughts on new Shimano GRX, Classified’s update, BMC’s new SLR01, and plenty more. Then, Josh Weinberg and Suvi Loponen tease what they’re seeing on the ground at Eurobike. As usual, members of Escape Collective also get our Ask a Wrench segment, which this week sees Dave Rome and pro race mechanic Brad Copeland answer a handful of questions, including: when to rewax a waxed chain; repairing a crashed aluminium rim brake bike and perhaps what to repalce it with; and our thoughts on mini hooked road rims. Members can submit new questions here . Time stamps: 2:40 - Shimano GRX 1x Di2 8:55 - Classified talking with Shimano Di2 17:30 - Aero gravel race bikes continue to come out 26:20 - Brembo returning to bicycles? 20:00 - Canyon’s Endurace AllRoad 35:00 - BMC’s 5th Gen TeamMachine SLR01 42:40 - Conti’s new Archetype race tyre 45:55 - Stages returns 49:10 - Eurobike intro from Josh and Suvi 55:00 - What’s coming up 59:00 - Ask a Wrench (member-only) 1:01:00 - When to rewax a waxed chain 1:09:00 - Chain dropping down the cassette on XPLR 1:18:45 - Our thoughts on Mini Hooked road rims 1:28:00 - A damaged Klein road bike and what to replace it with…

Geek Warning

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The week of wireless trickle 53:39

29 days ago53:39

53:39

Wow, what a week for those who love cycling tech! If four new dropbar groupsets from SRAM weren’t enough, then Shimano certainly fills that glass with its sudden release of XT and Deore Di2. Join Escape’s Dave Rome, Suvi Loponen and Alex Hunt as they discuss what’s new and some things to be aware of. Meanwhile, the UCI released some upcoming rule changes that have many riders and cycling businesses upset. The geeks discuss why some of these rulings have been blown out of proportion, and why one of them is arguably just wrong. Of course, there are a couple of new bikes (Cervelo and Orbea) to discuss, and CeramicSpeed has released its first do-it-yourself hot melt wax which promises a whole lot of distance. As always, members of Escape Collective have access to the Ask a Wrench segment at the end of the episode. Here, Dave Rome is joined by pro race mechanic Brad Copeland to answer a number of geeky questions, including a trick for keeping valve nuts in place without over-tightening them, our thoughts on the best cone wrenches, mixing-and-matching chainring sizes on SRAM, a rear shock that’s fussy to inflate, and a Shimano front derailleur that’s hard to shift. Enjoy! Time Stamps: 2:15 - Explaining the UCI’s Handlebar width ruling and specifically where it’s wrong 17:00 - SRAM’s new Force and Rival AXS 27:30 - Shimano’s new XT and Deore wireless shifting 36:30 - Cervelo’s new Aspero 5 43:45 - Orbea’s Terra gravel bike gets overhauled 47:00 - CeramicSpeed’s new long-lasting hot melt wax 52:00 - Ask a Wrench (Member-only!) 55:00 - A tip for tubeless valve nuts in place 58:30 - A deep dive and our top suggestions for good cone wrenches 1:10:00 - Mixing-and-matching chainring sizes with SRAM AXS 1:15:00 - Rear shock inflation woes and shock pumps 1:21:00 - Fixing Shimano Ultegra front derailleur that’s hard to shift…

Geek Warning

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Special ep: A chat with SRAM about new Rival and Force and trickling down tech 16:01

4 weeks ago16:01

16:01

In this bonus episode of Geek Warning, Suvi Loponen sits down with SRAM’s Dan Stefiuk and Paul Kantor to chat about the all-new Rival and Force AXS groupsets. From tech trickled down from Red, to the design philosophies that shaped these mid-tier offerings, we chat about how SRAM approaches performance, pricing, and compatibility. For the full tech details and reviews of these new groupsets – or to sign up to get the full episode – head over to escapecollective.com .…

Geek Warning

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Factory tours and fresh tech 54:57

5 weeks ago54:57

54:57

This week in Geek Warning, tech writers Suvi Loponen and Alex Hunt join Dave Rome to discuss their recent factory visits to SRAM, DT Swiss, Oquo, and more. You’ll hear Dave and Alex debate about using full-suspension gravel bikes instead of a mountain bike. The geeks also discuss a whole lot of new and interesting tech. As usual, members of Escape Collective have access to the Ask a Wrench segment of the episode, and this week, Australian national team mechanic, Peter Arch, joins to help answer the questions. Members can submit new questions here . Time stamps: 2:00 - Factory visits 18:00 - Full Suspension gravel bikes are coming back 25:00 - TRP Vistar with Classified is finally official 29:00 - Spoken comes to Sydney in a week 30:15 - Oquo now making its own hub 33:15 - Industry9 acquires We Are One Composites 35:00 - Leaked Roval Rapide wheels 37:30 - No.22’s new Drifter gravel bike 39:10 - Unno returns to XC with the Horn, room for 2.6” tyres 41:50 - Pro’s new internally routed MTB handlebar, please no 46:00 - Trek joins the electric air inflator world 48:00 - Ronan’s big ride 54:30 - Ask A Wrench with National pro mechanic Peter Arch (member-only) 56:00 - Solving a skipping hub 1:01:30 - What’s going inside a hydraulic disc brake? 1:05:30 - Mystery flat tyre 1:10:30 - Safer lubricants and lubing cables…

Geek Warning

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A Week of Wireless 1:05:28

6 weeks ago1:05:28

1:05:28

June has started with a bang when it comes to new cycling tech. This week we’ve seen the long-awaited release of new Shimano XTR Di2 , the next generation Super Record from Campagnolo , and a welcomed new power pedal from Favero . All are new products that Dave Rome and Ronan Mc Laughlin discuss, in addition to being covered in more detail on Escape Collective. In addition to all that, Unbound gravel saw a whole bunch of unreleased bikes being raced , which Dave and Josh Weinberg (US tech and culture editor) discuss. Of course, there’s also the usual PSA, Ronan has something on his mind, and the episode wraps with the member-only Ask a Wrench segment (with Zach Edwards of Boulder Groupetto helping to answer questions). Members can submit new questions here . As a reminder, this week also brought a special episode of Geek Warning where Shimano’s North American MTB product manager, Nick Murdick, was interviewed about all things related to new XTR Di2 . Timestamps: 2:30 - New Shimano XTR 7:50 - Campagnolo’s new Super Record WRL 13 19:15 - Favero Assioma Pro RS road power pedals 27:45 - PSA on eye safety 32:00 - On Ronan’s mind, uh oh 40:00 - Unbound tech 42:30 - Specialized’s new Diverge 45:30 - A name suggestion for the new Pinarello gravel racer 47:00 - Factor’s two new unreleased gravel bikes 51:50 - Orbea’s also got two new gravel bikes going around 54:00 - And Vos on a new Cervelo gravel race bike? 55:00 - Euro versus US gravel racing seen in bike design 1:00:30 - A pre-installed backup tube 1:04:30 - Ask a Wrench (member-only) 1:06:15 - How to adjust eccentric bottom brackets on single-speeds 1:11:30 - A tip for finding dropped items 1:15:40 - Our favourite hand cleaner? Hello gloves. 1:22:00 - Removing the impossibly stuck crank…

Geek Warning

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Special ep: Shimano’s MTB Product Manager on the new XTR Di2 21:44

6 weeks ago21:44

21:44

Seven years have passed since we last saw an updated version of Shimano’s flagship mountain bike group. Assuming you weren’t holding your breath, and as a result are still with us, then today is the day of the update. Yes, new XTR Di2 M9200 is here. It represents Shimano’s delayed entry into true wireless shifting, and brings with it a number of other interesting developments (a new brake oil, anyone?).In this episode, Escape Collective’s Dave Rome and Alex Hunt sit down with Shimano North America’s MTB Product Manager, Nick Murdick. The North American offices of Shimano have been playing an increasingly significant role in the development and design of Shimano’s next generation parts, and Nick has been at the centre of that for the new XTR. This episode speaks candidly with Murdick about the new group, some challenges faced, some decisions behind the details, and a few teases of what may still be to come. Alex and Dave wrap up at the end with a few quick thoughts. Meanwhile, you’ll need to visit our article on Escape Collective to find all the nuanced details and ride impressions of the new XTR product range. A chunk of this episode (along with our written report) is free for all to enjoy and learn from. However, as Escape is wholly member-funded (which means this isn’t sponsored or paid content), you will need to be a member of Escape Collective in order to hear it all.…

Geek Warning

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Mountain bikers on gravel tyres. What in the upside-down world? 58:55

7 weeks ago58:55

58:55

Our necks are hurting from the whiplash of information regarding what tyres are actually fastest off-road. Ronan teases a fresh discussion he had about optimising one sponsored rider for Unbound and some surprising lessons that came from that. It's a topic that continues to fascinate, especially given some of the world's best cross-country mountain bikers have been racing Short Track on 50 mm gravel tyres. In addition to that, you’ll hear Dave Rome, Alex Hunt, and Ronan McLaughlin explain why none of them are currently choosing to use 3D-printed saddles. There’s a PSA for anyone with wireless shifting, and of course, there’s new stuff to talk about, too. As usual, members also get our Ask a Wrench segment, which this week sees Dave Rome and pro race mechanic Brad Copeland answer a handful of questions, including: how keep 11-speed shifting running long-term, understanding bike handling, and best practises for travelling with new SRAM Full Mount derailleurs (Transmission and XPLR). Members can submit new questions here . Timestamps: 5:15 - Corrections corner related to 55 mm road tyres 8:40 - Corrections corner related to the Zipp 303 SW naming 11:00 - So mountain bike tyres aren’t always faster off-road? 24:00 - DT Swiss joins the gravel suspension game 29:30 - Why we don’t choose 3D-printed saddles 42:10 - A PSA to wireless shifting 44:30 - Polygon’s new Helios A road racer 50:30 - Goodyear’s new Connector gravel race range 55:00 - HED’s new gravel wheels 58:30 - Ask a Wrench with Brad Copeland (member-only) 59:40 - Keeping SRAM 11-speed going long-term 1:05:30 - How to understand rear handling? 1:09:00 - Travelling with SRAM T-Type/Full Mount derailleurs…

Geek Warning

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Modern chain wins and questionable pressure sensors 49:42

8 weeks ago49:42

49:42

Welcome back to the cycling tech podcast with a Geek Warning. This week, Escape’s tech editors Dave Rome and Ronan Mc Laughlin discuss what’s been on their minds. For Dave, that’s how good modern chains have become and a cool upgrade option for DT Swiss hub users.For Ronan, it’s the new wheels from Zipp that have been occupying his time. This is a fairly long episode for members of Escape Collective ( go here ). Those on the member-only podcast feed won’t just hear what’s new, but rather will hear some criticism of Zipp’s new built-in pressure gauges and whether the company has addressed Ronan’s concerns about hookless. As always, members also get our Ask a Wrench segment, which this week sees Dave Rome and pro race mechanic Brad Copeland answer a handful of questions related to disc brakes, along with one about the trend to toward wide gravel tyres and where suspension comes into that. Members can submit new questions here . 3:30 - Corrections corner: 14-speed cassettes do exist, sigh. 4:30 - Williams Racing Product’s Zero Drag Kit is cool 9:30 - Some things are really good, especially new chains 17:30 - PSA: Don’t pluck your (tyre) hairs 20:50 - Gunnar and Waterford names return 21:30 - Standert’s new scandium alloy road racer 24:30 - Pirelli’s new endurance road tyre that goes to 55 mm wide 31:15 - Rex releases its Black Magik drip wax 34:30 - Silca’s first grease and Dave’s go-to grease 37:00 - Zipp’s new range of wheels 42:15 - Wolf Tooth’s new Clik valves and bottom brackets 49:00 - Opinions on Zipp’s new wheels and sensors (member-only) 1:03:00 - Where we stand on hookless (member-only) 1:13:00 - Ask a Wrench (member-only) 1:15:00 - Dealing with rubbing discs 1:26:00 - Crop circles on disc rotors 1:32:00 - Cleaning with disc brakes 1:39:00 - Pondering wide tyres versus gravel suspension for Unbound…

Geek Warning

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Special ep: Why is kit so expensive? 44:56

8 weeks ago44:56

44:56

You don’t have to look far these days to find a jersey and bib short that costs more than my first road bike, or one that costs less than lunch. In this episode, I sit down with Steve Smith, Brand Manager at Castelli and Sportful, to unpack what really drives the cost of cycling kit. From €1.50 chamois pads to €300 retail tags, we explore the full supply chain, manufacturing realities, sponsorship costs, direct-to-consumer myths, and why a €30 short might look the part and what it might be missing, if anything. If you’ve ever wondered what you’re really paying for, if it's marginal gains or just all margins for the manufacturers, this episode has answers.…

Geek Warning

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Tech so smart it’s dumb 51:34

9 weeks ago51:34

51:34

This week we’ve got wireless shifting on our minds. Campagnolo’s new 13-speed wireless continues to be seen out in the wild, now at the Giro d’Italia. Dave has had his hands on WheelTop’s latest wireless mountain bike derailleur and shifter. And SRAM has an option to upgrade its new mechanical T70/T90 system to wireless, and nope, we’re not joking. Additionally, Ronan is feeling misunderstood. We warn about using modern Ai-type tech in your repair endeavours. And of course, there’s plenty more. As always, Escape Collective members will hear our popular Ask a Wrench segment. This week, Zach Edwards (Boulder Groupetto) and Dave Rome answer member-submitted questions related to fixing tubeless punctures in road tyres, the complications of Cannondale’s Ai asymmetry, and we provide some thoughts on the best tyre setups for amateur racing across multiple disciplines. As a reminder, you’ll need to be a member of Escape Collective ( go here ) in order to access this popular segment of the podcast. Members can submit new questions here . Time stamps: 2:50 - Ronan’s feeling misunderstood 8:15 - Thumb shifter all-but-confirmed for next-gen Campagnolo Wireless 13:30 - Dave’s first impressions of WheelTop wireless (EDS OX2.0) 23:00 - a PSA about using Ai to help you wrench 27:00 - SRAM’s new mechanical shifting can be upgraded to wireless 32:00 - Canyon updates the Ultimate and Endurace road bikes 38:00 - Rocky Mountain secures new Canadian owners 39:20 - Where to for Felt Bicycles? 42:00 - Threaded this week 45:00 - Time for Ask a Wrench (member’s feed only) 49:00 - How to properly fix a cut tubeless tyre 57:00 - Cannondale Ai crank woes 1:04:00 - Best tyre setups by disciplines…

Geek Warning

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Is every flagship drivetrain bound to go 13-speed? 50:49

10 weeks ago50:49

50:49

How is it that a product can be raced by a professional, in a professional event, and that the media aren’t allowed to tell all? It’s become a surprisingly common occurrence, and in this episode, you’ll hear Ronan Mc Laughlin and Dave Rome explain how it all works. You’ll also hear about Campagnolo’s latest spotted new drivetrain, and why it likely spells a wider change to 13-speed. Also, Ronan and Dave discuss the new Cannondale Synapse and its rather confusing overlap with other bikes in Cannondale’s range. The conversation then moves to cover other new products and industry news. Finally, Escape Collective members will hear our popular Ask a Wrench segment. This week, Ronan and Dave answer member-submitted questions related to their favourite Co2 inflator heads (and preferred alternatives), an update to the Classified two-speed hub system, and calibrating power meters. As a reminder, you’ll need to be a member of Escape Collective ( go here ) in order to access this popular segment of the podcast. Members can submit new questions here . Language warning: Ronan said a naughty word at the 6:58 point of the episode. Time stamps: 2:00 - Spotting new products in clear sight and embargos explained 10:40 - Campagnolo 13-speed EPS Wireless is coming 22:00 - We’re not sure how to define the new Cannondale Synapse 37:00 - Chit chat, amusing clickbait, and problematic AI 41:00 - Canyon US and Amazon Prime 42:00 - Industry news from DT Swiss 43:20 - Vittoria updates the Rubino 45:30 - Park Tool’s new free things 47:00 - Feedback Sports’ new chain whip alternative 50:00 - Ask a Wrench (member-only) 51:00 - Our preferred Co2 inflator heads and alternatives 59:20 - Calibrating power meters 1:04:10 - Classified’s requirements for the 10T cassettes…

Geek Warning

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Special ep: In For Review, May 2025 59:52

10 weeks ago59:52

59:52

It’s time for the second edition of our ‘In for Review’ Geek Warning podcast. Like the first edition , this one looks to share some of the bikes we’ve been testing and the gear we’ve been enjoying. Plus, we’ve added a segment that talks about newly released products we’re interested in trying. And for those on the Escape Collective member feed (which as the name implies, is only for members), you’ll get a little extra as we discuss a few of the products that haven’t quite met the mark. If you aren't a member yet, you can sign up here . This episode is hosted by tech editor Dave Rome, and you’ll also hear Escape’s tech writers Suvi Loponen and Alex Hunt. Enjoy! Time stamps: 3:30 - Van Rysel RCR-F aero bike 14:00 - Standert Kettensäge alloy gravel racer 23:00 - Dave was sidelined for a bit 24:25 - What we’re enjoying using 25:00 - POC Cytal road helmet 28:45 - Women’s bib-shorts 31:30 - Michelin’s road tyres 35:30 - Alex’s introduction to cargo bibs 38:30 - Feedback Sport’s Pro E-Lift repair stand 43:30 - New products we’re intrigued to try 43:50 - Suvi’s keen to test the Cannondale Synapse 49:00 - New Wahoo computers 52:00 - Boardman SLR 105 Di2 road bike 56:00 - A new wave of gravel tyres 58:45 - Member-only bonus section: the products that have left us underwhelmed 1:00:00 - What’s with tyre logos not lining up? 1:04:00 - Fizik’s entry into helmets 1:08:00 - Dave’s expensive tool purchase…

Geek Warning

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Wheel size history is repeating 59:58

11 weeks ago59:58

59:58

Hello geeks! It’s time to talk about the big wheels that are seemingly beginning to gain speed. As reported by Josh Weinberg, it sure seems many are looking at 32 in wheels , but it’s still early days as to whether we’ll see history repeat itself. Within you’ll also find a new segment where Dave puts the call out to brands to produce a product that he feels is lacking in the market. You’ll also hear Josh, Zach, and Dave discuss some of the more interesting products from the BeSpoked show . The episode wraps with our usual Ask a Wrench segment. Here you’ll hear the geeks chat Schwalbe Clik Valves, thoughts on inner tubes for road, and a little more about Campagnolo inner cables. As a reminder, you’ll need to be a member of Escape Collective ( go here ) in order to access this popular segment of the podcast. Members can submit new questions here . Love tech? We’ve had a handful of other tech-related podcasts this week, including a chat Ronan Mc Laughlin and Dave Rome had about things to consider if buying a new aero road bike (find it in the Performance Process channel). Plus, Josh Weinberg caught up with Lachlan Morton about upcoming events and the tech decisions . Time stamps: 2:00 - 32 in wheels are the next big thing 20:50 - ReTyre continues to expand its eco-friendly tyre operation 23:45 - Industry Wish list: Better headsets for a specific application 29:30 - A quick tech chat with Lachlan Morton 39:20 - Hunt’s new Aerodynamicist Carbon Disc road wheels 41:00 - Bespoked things 42:00 Garbaruk’s prototype electronic rear derailleur 50:00 - KOM Xeno Infinity hub 52:20 - Antidote comes to gravel with the Path Seeker 59:30 - Ask a Wrench (Member-feed exclusive) 1:01:00 - The best inner tubes for road (member-only) 1:04:30 - Early thoughts on Schwalbe Clik Valves (member-only) 1:10:00 - More on Campagnolo mechanical cables (member-only)…

Geek Warning

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Electric inflators and a narrower UDH from Factor 45:43

12 weeks ago45:43

45:43

The travel bike is a highly desirable item for many cyclists with dreams of frequent travel, but does it still hold a place with many modern airline policies? It’s one of the many topics you’ll hear the geeks discuss in this week’s episode. In addition to that, you’ll hear Dave Rome, along with Zach Edwards (Boulder Groupetto) and Escape’s newest tech hire, Josh Weinberg, cover the latest in tech. They discuss the new Factor Monza road bike, where it sits in the range, and the sneaky new UDH Mini rear hanger. Silca’s entry into the electric pump world sparks a wider conversation about the category. Plus, there’s plenty more tech and industry happenings. The episode wraps with our usual Ask a Wrench segment. Here you’ll hear the geeks chat 11-speed Di2, common shock pump leakage, and ponder the pros and cons of modern gravel suspension. As a reminder, you’ll need to be a member of Escape Collective ( go here ) in order to access this popular segment of the podcast. Members can submit new questions here . Time stamps: 3:00 - The modern-day role of a travel bike? 13:00 - a PSA we keep repeating as it needs repeating. 17:00 - Silca enters the electric pump market 25:00 - Factor’s Monza road bike 33:00 - TrickStuff and DT Swiss 36:30 - Kona Hei Hei mountain bike 39:00 - Revel is closing down 40:30 - A heist of Ari bikes 44:00 - Ask a Wrench (member-only) 44:00 - Using 11-speed Shimano Di2 on newer frames 49:15 - RockShox Flight Attendant feeling less smooth and a common shock pump concern 58:00 - Gravel suspension considerations and alternatives…

Geek Warning

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Wrapping Roubaix and Sea Otter tech 1:15:32

13 weeks ago1:15:32

1:15:32

Welcome back to Geek Warning. It’s been a big few weeks for the cycling world, with the Classics and the Sea Otter Classic sharing a weekend. Ronan Mc Laughlin and Dave Rome kick off the show chatting Roubaix tech, including some hacked derailleurs and questionable measurements. Then they chat about Colnago’s latest race bike. Dave then jumps on with US tech editor Josh Weinberg to talk all things Sea Otter, including some of the bigger tech news. Plus, there’s a beginner's guide to why many in the industry are seemingly obsessed with gearboxes in place of the old derailleur. All of those chats are based loosely on content already published on Escape Collective. So check out the Tech section of the website in order to see more on all of these things. The episode wraps with our usual Ask a Wrench segment with pro race mechanic Brad Copeland. As a reminder, you’ll need to be a member of Escape Collective ( go here ) in order to access this popular segment of the podcast. Members can submit new questions here . Time stamps: 1:30 - We told you so corner and Roubaix tyres 6:40 - 13-speed shifting taken to 12 and what tells of SRAM road of the future 17:30 - UCI is measuring things. Why? 25:20 - Colnago’s new V5RS 33:30 - Sea Otter is a Classic 39:00 - The rise of the gearbox 47:30 - Upside-down suspension returns 53:00 - Sea Otter big and small finds (Qvist, Continental, Vittoria, Abbey Bike Tools, Terravail, mini inflators, and much more) 1:08:00 - Stromm’s new aero road bike 1:13:00 - Ask a Wrench (members only) 1:17:00 - Upgrading bolts, where and where not 1:26:00 - SRAM Transmission on a non-Boost bike 1:35:00 - Wheels taking on water…

Geek Warning

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A lot of new tech and pricing fears 57:23

14 weeks ago57:23

57:23

Welcome back to Geek Warning! The podcast that puts all the most interesting cycling tech and advice into one place. Before you tune in to the latest episode, it’s worth noting that the geeks often record a few days before an episode drops. In any normal week that’s no problem, but it’s been far from a normal week. In this episode Ronan McLaughlin, Suvi Loponen, and Dave Rome chat about the impact of tariffs on the cycling industry - many of which have been put on hold in the time between recording and publishing. Still, some discussed themes are likely to become true. On a happier note it’s the week of the Sea Otter Classic in California. Recent years have seen this event organically become the industry tradeshow for the North American market, and with that, you can bet there are always plenty of new things to see. The geeks discuss some of the bigger announcements leading into the event. Lastly, the episode wraps up with our Ask a Wrench segment featuring pro-race mechanic Brad Copeland. As a reminder, you’ll need to be a member of Escape Collective ( go here ) in order to access this popular segment of the podcast. Members can submit new questions here . Time stamps: 2:20 - Extra info corner and 40 mm road tyres 5:00 - Tariff fears and a potential benefiting sector 18:00 - A PSA for that bike used on an indoor trainer 24:00 - Sea Otter Classic is here, and oh so much new tech 25:00 - New Allied Able gravel bike 26:30 - Niner ORE 9 RDO 29:50 - Zwift’s big updates 37:20 - Wahoo’s new head units and a Radar 40:00 - Optis, an inflatable tyre insert 42:10 - DT Swiss 350 DEG 44:30 - Maxxis revamps entire gravel tyre range 46:15 - Cadex joins the 3D printed saddle game 48:10 - TPU Tube Sealant?! 50:30 - OneUp updates its carbon bar and a short tangent 54:10 - Fizik’s entry into helmets 57:00 - Ask a Wrench time (Member only) 1:00:00 - Longevity of Campagnolo gear cables 1:07:20 - Disc brake pad compounds 1:14:00 - Burning off oils from disc rotors 1:18:00 - Glitter and tyre sealants…

Geek Warning

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What’s the widest tyre we’ll see at Roubaix? 52:05

15 weeks ago52:05

52:05

Paris-Roubaix is just around the corner and the geeks have been pondering just how wide we’ll see the tyres of the pros go. Some studies have shown that 40s are fastest, but as you’ll hear from Ronan, the testing he’s currently in the thick of is showing otherwise. You’ll also hear Dave Rome, Ronan Mc Laughlin, and Zach Edwards (Boulder Groupetto) discuss some of the new interesting groupsets coming from Chinese manufacturers and what it may take for them to break through into the mainstream market. Plus, there’s plenty of new tech to discuss, including the new RockShox Reverb AXS dropper and some interesting industry news. Finally, the episode wraps up with our Ask a Wrench segment featuring pro-race mechanic Brad Copeland. As a reminder, you’ll need to be a member of Escape Collective in order to access this popular segment of the podcast. Enjoy! Time stamps: 2:15 - The widest tyre we’ll see at Roubaix? 23:15 - Taipei Cycle Show and lower-cost drivetrain competition 33:20 - refreshed eeWings from CaneCreek 35:10 - RockShox Reverb AXS dropper 38:15 - SRAM ‘cybersecurity’ issue 39:45 - Brose bicycle acquired by Yamaha 41:40 - Velo gets a recycling partner in SRAM 42:50 - One April Fools that got us chuckling 46:00 - CyclingSpy now on Escape 52:00 - Ask a Wrench - Member Only 53:30 - A mystery click in the front end 1:01:15 - The best cycling tool for persuasion 1:05:00 - Cutting steerer tubes and the impact on resale value 1:12:00 - A detailed conversation on tight XD/XDR cassette sleeves (plus related tools)…

Geek Warning

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Tyre pressure apps and unexpected counterfeits 50:57

16 weeks ago50:57

50:57

Our podcast episodes are a little like our own children, of course, we love them all. However, maybe, just maybe, some are loved a little more than others. This episode is a good one. Tune in as the regular crew of Ronan, Dave, and Zach chat about the growing world of tyre pressure calculators and whether electronic shifting has made frame designers lazy. Meanwhile, the public service announcement relates to counterfeit products and it’s a big one that we’re sure to return to in future. With the Taipei Cycle Show on we’re seeing a flurry of new products to discuss, including a few new fun bikes. Finally, members of Escape Collective ( go here ) get another edition of Ask a Wrench with Brad Copeland. Here, the geeks answer a few interesting questions, with a whole lot of detail related to bike setup for long gravel events. If you liked this episode, then please give it a share with some like-minded riding friends. Time stamps: 1:30 - Vittoria’s new tyre pressure app and wider category thoughts 14:00 - On Dave’s mind is frame limitation in mechanical groupset selection 29:45 - a PSA to not buy your big name product from sketchy sources 36:00 - Big new things from SRAM, which we’ve covered elsewhere 37:30 - Bendy road ahead for Komoot 39:00 - Bianchi celebrates 140 years 41:00 - Fox’s new 36 SL and where it sits 42:45 - Tern updates the GSD 43:30 - Giant’s first bike with a recycled composite frame 50:30 - Ask a Wrench with Brad Copeland (member-only from this point) 54:00 - Ask a Wrench: Prepping a bike for performance at Unbound 200 1:10:00 - Ask a Wrench: Chainline confusion 1:17:00 - Ask a Wrench: Fixing peeling decals…

Geek Warning

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Special ep: Deep dive with SRAM on mechanical Transmission and new brakes 1:19:49

16 weeks ago1:19:49

1:19:49

Oh yes, we’re in the thick of product launch season, and we're keeping focused on the most interesting stuff. SRAM has just overhauled its more budget-conscious mountain bike drivetrains, and they share much in common with the premium Transmission AXS. Except, they have a cable. Plus, at least on the mountain bike side, SRAM has gone all-in on mineral oil brakes. It’s a huge change for a company that’s spent more than 15 years promoting the benefits of DOT fluid. To hear and learn all about the product, SRAM lent us a few of its product managers and engineers without the public relation adults in the room. Of course, we have full and detailed write-ups on Escape Collective. There’s some overlap between this podcast and the writing, but you’ll find plenty of unique information in each. It’s also worth reminding that Escape Collective is wholly funded by its members, and so this isn’t paid for, sponsored, or partnership content. It’s just a geeky chat that felt appropriate for the Geek Warning podcast. Those on the Escape Collective member feeds will get a bonus section at the end with Dave and Josh covering a few elements that SRAM didn't want to discuss, along with some early ride thoughts. Enjoy! Time stamps: 1:00 - Meet the guests 4:00 - An intro to Eagle 70 and 90 9:00 - Was SRAM all-in on electronic at a point? 11:20 - Cross-compatibility in Transmission and why mechanical is only a price point option 18:00 - Set up 26:00 - Cable routing basics 37:30 - What about bikes without a UDH? 39:00 - Shift speed things 46:30 - A fully rebuildable derailleur 50:00 - Time for brakes and a move to mineral oil 58:30 - Explaining the new brake range 1:03:00 - The Motive brake 1:07:30 - Are there tuning guides for these brakes? 1:10:00 - Brake set up tips 1:20:00 - Josh and Dave share their thoughts of Eagle 90 (member-only) 1:34:00 - Thoughts on the Motive brakes and a crystal ball moment (member-only)…

Geek Warning

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Unique features that make endurance bikes less desirable 47:58

17 weeks ago47:58

47:58

Why do so many road bikes with endurance geometry have unique selling added features that wouldn’t fly in more performance-oriented bikes? That’s the big question that Ronan, Dave, and Zach discuss in this week’s episode of Geek Warning. Plus, you’ll hear a useful PSA for those who use newer road pedals. Dave then rings up new Escape recruit Josh Weinberg to discuss the latest in road, gravel, and cross-country mountain bike tech – including Fox's new 34 SL fork release (something we've also covered in writing). The episode closes with the usual answering of member-submitted technical questions. However, for this last section, you will need to be a member of Escape Collective and either logged into the member-only podcast feed or via our Podcast page (again, logged in members only). Thanks for listening! And if you like it, please consider sending it to a fellow tech-loving cyclist. Time stamps: 1:40 - Corrections Corner 2:45 - On Our Minds: Unique selling features that actually don’t help sell bikes 22:00 - PSA: Composite-bodied road pedals are a wear item 25:00 - Introducing Josh and chatting Mid-South gravel tech 28:30 - Teravail has a whole wheel-system 31:20 - Chris King launches its own alloy wheelset 34:00 - Fox releases the new 34 SL fork 39:00 - Fox’s new all-in-one remote lever 41:55 - LiteSpeed’s new impressively lightweight road frame 45:25 - Ask a Wrench (member-feed only) 47:00 - A mystery and isolated leaking brake lever (member-feed only) 54:00 - Good and bad of solid polymer bearings (member-feed only) 1:01:00 - How to deal with a stuck tubeless valve (member-feed only)…

Geek Warning

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Matching fit between bikes and cordless air tools 1:00:50

18 weeks ago1:00:50

1:00:50

What do matching bike fits and cordless air tools have in common? Truthfully, very little, but you’ll hear them both discussed in this week’s episode of Geek Warning. Join Ronan Mc Laughlin, Dave Rome, and Zach Edwards as they discuss these topics on their minds, plus share the latest in tech. Listeners on our free feed will get a whole hour, meanwhile members of Escape Collective get treated to an extra geeky 30 minutes with Dave Rome and pro race mechanic Brad Copeland answering listener questions. Time stamps: 3:30 - Our methods, tips, and tools for matching fit between bikes 25:00 - On our mind: Air powered tools versus an air compressor 39:40 - PSA: Don’t forget your computer mount 42:00 - Cannondale’s new Topstone 45:20 - Vittoria has a 29 mm road tyre just for wide rims 50:10 - Specialized has a busy week of new tyres 51:45 - Ari’s new Signal Peak 3.0 cross-country bike 53:30 - State Bicycle’s budget Carbon All-Road 59:39 - Ask a Wrench with Brad Copeland 1:03:00 - Repairing bikes for friends (member-only) 1:10:30 - Do jockey pulley wheels have a direction? (member-only) 1:18:15 - Is there a benefit to warming a chain? (member-only) 1:25:30 - Tips for removing frayed cables from shifters (member-only)…

Geek Warning

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The first ’In for Review’ special episode 1:05:12

18 weeks ago1:05:12

1:05:12

It was an idea teased in a previous episode of the Geek Warning podcast, and we’ve finally done it! Welcome to a pilot episode of In for Review – a special and approximately-monthly edition of Geek Warning that chats about some of the bikes and products we’re actively testing, the things on our minds related to those products, and the tangents that follow. This episode is entirely free for all to hear, but the upcoming content that we discuss will largely be exclusive to members of Escape Collective. This was a first draft, and we already have ideas for making it better. Still, we’re all ears if you have ideas, praise, or criticism. Time stamps: 1:20 - The new Scott Addict Ultimate and Schwalbe Aerothan tyres 10:20 - Another Scott as Ronan is wrapping up the Foil 15:00 - Testing the Enve MOG through a Scottish winter 21:00 - Tangent into swapping between dropbar shifter brands 24:00 - Swapping between bikes 27:30 - Suvi is down the Rear Radar rabbit hole 37:40 - Fizik’s custom 3D printed saddle 49:15 - Ronan is trying to find a shoe he actually likes 53:00 - Just a pure shameless plug from Ronan 58:30 - Dave’s heaviest delivery in recent memory…

Geek Warning

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Gravel things go road and fixing easy rattles 58:40

19 weeks ago58:40

58:40

It’s a geek-packed episode as senior tech editors Dave Rome and Ronan Mc Laughlin, plus Zach Edwards (Boulder Groupetto) discuss the week in tech. Ronan ponders the real highs and lows of Lidl-Trek experimenting with SRAM XPLR 1x13 drivetrains in road races. There’s a skeptical point of view to integrated pressure sensors in tubeless wheels. And the geeks discuss the importance of Trail figures in geometry, and why it’s oddly not provided by all brands – a topic Ronan was inspired to put into writing, too (coming soon). It had been a few weeks since the last PSA, and Dave has one related to common noises. And we’ve got a wrap of some fresh product news. As per usual, the episode ends with our Ask a Wrench segment that sees pro race mechanic Brad Copeland and Dave Rome answer a few member-submitted tech questions. It’s something you’ll need to logged into our member-feed of the podcast to hear. Time stamps: 1:40 - Lidl-Trek using a 1x gravel groupset 13:00 - Zipp playing with integrated pressure sensors 21:10 - Where are all the trail figures and fork rakes? 30:50 - PSA on easily solved bike noises 31:10 - Continental’s new Gran Prix TR tyre 42:00 - OneUp’s little pedal fumble 43:30 - Industry9’s new Hydra2 hub 47:50 - Velocio’s new high-riding hydration pack 49:35 - Hammerhead Karoo gets its own “native extension” library plus a tangent on computers. 58:30 - Ask a Wrench with Brad Copeland (members-only) 1:00:00 - A further tip for comparing chain wear between riding disciplines (members-only) 1:01:05 - Plugs and repairing tubeless tyres (members-only) 1:06:10 - Speeding up the drying process of drip wax (members-only) 1:10:00 - A complement for a previous answer - the advice worked (members-only) 1:12:30 - Squealing Shimano brakes strike again (members-only)…

Geek Warning

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Special ep: Gear that survives the 1,300 km Atlas Mountain Race 20:26

20 weeks ago20:26

20:26

In this special episode, we chat with Ultra-Distance specialist Kevin Benky Benkenstein on his bike and gear selections for a recent race across the Moroccan Atlas Mountain Range. That big ride is the Atlas Mountain Race (AMR), a beast of a ride that covers some 1,300 km with 23,000 m of elevation. It covers every surface imaginable, and both rider and bike are tested thoroughly in the little over four days that it took him to complete (good enough for a tied third-place finish in the men’s). Designed to accompany an article that Kevin wrote for Escape Collective, this chat covers why a full-suspension frame ended up being the pick, why such trail-focussed tyres were selected, drivetrain choices, and plenty of geeky insight. Enjoy! Oh, and don’t forget to check out escapecollective.com for the full write-up (or at least to see some photos).…

Geek Warning

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The challenges in making quantitative testing useful 41:54

20 weeks ago41:54

41:54

Why don’t you see much wind tunnel-based testing on Escape Collective? It’s something the geeks are forever discussing internally, and in this week’s episode, they discuss some of the difficulties in getting such testing to provide truly useful results. You’ll also hear Ronan McLaughlin, Dave Rome, and Zach Edwards (Boulder Groupetto) cover the latest news in the world of cycling tech, including a recent high-profile wheel failure, Canyon’s new customisation program , and BMC’s latest recall. Members of Escape Collective get an extra 20 minutes in the form of Ask a Wrench. This week the geeks answer questions about converting a bike for triathlon, why chains wear more rapidly on mountain bikes, and silencing a certan type of creaky seatpost. Enjoy! Time stamps: 4:20 - Chris Froome’s wheel failure 9:15 - Canyon’s new customisation program 15:55 - On Ronan’s Mind: Quantitative testing making bikes worse 33:20 - BMC recalls the Kaius gravel bike 39:30 - Nukeproof returns 41:45 - Ask a Wrench: a first triathlon (member-only) 48:55 - Rapid chain wear on MTB (member-only) 53:25 - Fixing a creaking Canyon/Ergon seatpost and our thoughts on carbon pastes (member-only)…

Geek Warning

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Tyre sealants, gearboxes, and wide kicks 29:11

21 weeks ago29:11